ScoreStream, a five-year-old startup that created a social media platform for crowd-sourcing local sports scores, has raised $3.7 million in a Series A round that includes Intel Capital as an investor. According to a recent ScoreStream statement, San Diego’s Avalon Ventures, a longtime ScoreStream investor, led the round, and was joined by Sinclair Broadcasting, Verizon … Continue reading “Intel Deepens Move into Sports Tech with ScoreStream Investment”
Category: National
ImageMoverMD Installs New Leadership Team Aimed at Boosting Sales
ImageMoverMD, a Madison, WI-based startup whose products include software allowing healthcare providers and patients to securely transmit photos and videos taken with their smartphones, has recently made a series of leadership changes in a bid to ramp up the company’s revenues, executives say. K. Thomas Pickard, whom ImageMoverMD brought on as CEO in 2015, says he left … Continue reading “ImageMoverMD Installs New Leadership Team Aimed at Boosting Sales”
U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize
Midtown Detroit hosted two events this week that are among the biggest in the Southeast Michigan startup community: the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s annual awards gala, and the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, where 36 early-stage tech companies competed for nearly $1 million in cash and prizes, including a $500,000 grand prize. Although both events have … Continue reading “U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize”
Stratim CEO Sees Future with Costly Driverless Cars, but Low Ride Fares
Like many tech entrepreneurs, Sean Behr had a young business that was popular with consumers, but was also losing money. So in February of 2016, he decided to refocus his San Francisco startup on the small, but unexpectedly profitable aspect of his service that could operate in the black. That pivot put Behr in a … Continue reading “Stratim CEO Sees Future with Costly Driverless Cars, but Low Ride Fares”
Five Questions For … Barbary Brunner, Austin Technology Council CEO
Austin—Barbary Brunner says Austin has always felt like home. She has made career stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver, but says the Texas capital was a lodestar. “Every time I’d come visit, it felt like Austin was calling out to me,” Brunner says. “When I lived in Seattle, it’s the place I’d come to … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Barbary Brunner, Austin Technology Council CEO”
Bio Roundup: ICER Eyes Cost, Azar at HHS, Gates’s ALZ Cash & More
In our roundup this week, Alzheimer’s disease is in the news, thanks to billionaire Bill Gates and his personal pledge of $100 million toward R&D. That could equal the amount one startup hopes to raise in an IPO to develop drugs for Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. If a treatment became available, could our health … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: ICER Eyes Cost, Azar at HHS, Gates’s ALZ Cash & More”
Propeller, Express Scripts Partner to Monitor Asthma, COPD Patients
Propeller Health, a startup developing Internet-connected inhalers and complementary software to help people with respiratory disease manage their conditions, announced a new partnership with Express Scripts Thursday aimed at monitoring sensor-captured data to ensure patients are taking their medications as prescribed. Madison, WI-based Propeller’s tools are designed for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary … Continue reading “Propeller, Express Scripts Partner to Monitor Asthma, COPD Patients”
Healthcare + A.I. in Boston: The Photos
Our first forum focused on the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence was a truly standout event. We struck a nerve with this topic and timing, as healthcare and pharma companies are all trying to figure out (and implement) their A.I. and machine learning strategies. And it’s not easy. There’s no way to summarize the … Continue reading “Healthcare + A.I. in Boston: The Photos”
FDA Approves Genentech Hemophilia Drug, But Adds Safety Warning
The FDA has approved a Genentech drug meant to prevent or reduce bleeding in hemophilia A patients who have developed an immune response to currently available treatments for the condition. But Thursday’s approval of emicizumab-kxwh (Hemlibra) comes with a warning about severe blood clots. In clinical trials testing the drug from Genentech, the South San … Continue reading “FDA Approves Genentech Hemophilia Drug, But Adds Safety Warning”
At Seattle Children’s, Another Piece of Ambitious CAR-T Plan in Place
The researchers and doctors at Seattle Children’s are embarking upon a complicated quest, involving multiple clinical studies of cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapies, to help kids and young adults with an aggressive form of leukemia. As of today, one key part of their plan can begin, thanks to a green light from the FDA. New clinical … Continue reading “At Seattle Children’s, Another Piece of Ambitious CAR-T Plan in Place”
After Quadrupling in Size, Lessonly Raises $8M Series B
Lessonly, the Indianapolis-based startup focused on team training software, this week announced it has raised an $8 million Series B funding round. Led by Boston’s OpenView Partners, the round also drew contributions from Rethink Education, High Alpha Capital, and Allos Ventures. Max Yoder, Lessonly CEO and co-founder, says the company has quadrupled in size over … Continue reading “After Quadrupling in Size, Lessonly Raises $8M Series B”
New Understory Tie-Up Aims to Help Insurers Reduce Claim Costs
A little over a year after Understory began working with Pacific Specialty Insurance Company, the two organizations are now announcing a collaboration aimed at lowering the amount of money insurers pay policyholders for weather-related property damage. Madison, WI-based Understory, a weather technology startup, says it worked with Palo Alto, CA-based Pacific Specialty to reduce the … Continue reading “New Understory Tie-Up Aims to Help Insurers Reduce Claim Costs”
Xconomy Peers into Biotech Future with Vividion’s Diego Miralles
What’s new in San Diego life sciences? Diego Miralles, who was named just three months ago as the CEO of San Diego-based Vividion Therapeutics, has a lot to say on that topic. Miralles, an immunologist who previously served as the CEO at Adaptive Therapeutics and before that led innovation and West Coast R&D for Johnson … Continue reading “Xconomy Peers into Biotech Future with Vividion’s Diego Miralles”
IRobot’s Colin Angle on the Home Run of Robotics (It’s Not A.I.)
When it comes to consumer robotics, iRobot has to be the poster child. It was born 27 years ago out of MIT, founded by legendary roboticist Rodney Brooks, now professor emeritus, and two of his students, Helen Greiner and Colin Angle. Over the years, the company has made many forays into various products—including the My … Continue reading “IRobot’s Colin Angle on the Home Run of Robotics (It’s Not A.I.)”
Balter Steps Down as Mylestone CEO, Shifts to Chairman
[Updated 11/16/17, 10:47 am. See below.] Dave Balter, a serial entrepreneur and startup investor in the Boston area, has stepped down as CEO of one of his latest ventures, Mylestone. Balter has shifted to the role of chairman, and Mylestone head of product Drew Condon is now the chief executive, Balter announced in a blog … Continue reading “Balter Steps Down as Mylestone CEO, Shifts to Chairman”
X4 Pharma Pulls In $27M for Immune Drug in Cancer, Rare Diseases
The immune system can’t fight disease if its cells don’t reach their targets. In some cancers and rare immune deficiency disorders, immune cell levels are too low. X4 Pharmaceuticals has developed drugs that it says can help restore these counts to normal, and the company now has $27 million to test them in key clinical … Continue reading “X4 Pharma Pulls In $27M for Immune Drug in Cancer, Rare Diseases”
Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up
When automotive supplier Delphi forked over approximately $450 million to buy Boston-based software startup NuTonomy last month, it was the latest in a spate of high-dollar acquisitions involving companies that develop self-driving technologies. NuTonomy, founded by MIT researchers, was only four years old and had raised $16 million in a Series A round the previous … Continue reading “Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up”
Vanu Bose Tribute, Plus Latest Boston Tech Headlines
We start this week’s Boston tech watch on a somber note: Vanu Bose, a local technology executive and MIT alumnus, passed away Saturday from a sudden pulmonary embolism, according to an announcement from MIT. He was 52. Bose was the founder and CEO of 19-year-old wireless networking company Vanu, which recently donated some of its … Continue reading “Vanu Bose Tribute, Plus Latest Boston Tech Headlines”
C is for Cash: Cookie Deliverer Tiff’s Treats Good Enough for $25M
Austin—The product is warm cookies, and the service is delivering those made-to-order sweets within 90 minutes. That can only happen with customized proprietary software, says Tiff’s Treats co-founder Leon Chen. “The technology is the brains behind each of our locations,” says Chen, who founded the cookie maker and delivery company with his now wife, Tiffany … Continue reading “C is for Cash: Cookie Deliverer Tiff’s Treats Good Enough for $25M”
SendGrid Goes Public for $131M in First Techstars Accelerator IPO
Something rare happened this morning: A company that has gone through an accelerator program, SendGrid, has hit the public markets. SendGrid raised $131 million by selling 8.2 million shares for $16 apiece, according to research firm Renaissance Capital. Both figures were higher than expected for the Denver, CO-based company, which is now trading on the … Continue reading “SendGrid Goes Public for $131M in First Techstars Accelerator IPO”
CarGurus Stock Up After First Report to Wall Street: 3 Takeaways
CarGurus’ stock price is up around 10 percent Wednesday after the company delivered positive financial results in its first quarterly report since going public. The Cambridge, MA-based software company’s stock (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CARG]]) was trading just under $33 per share as of this writing Wednesday morning, up from Tuesday’s closing price of $29.82. CarGurus released its … Continue reading “CarGurus Stock Up After First Report to Wall Street: 3 Takeaways”
Acorda Takes Another Hit, Reports Patient Deaths in Parkinson’s Study
Acorda Therapeutics’ rebuilding plan just suffered another setback, leaving the fate of one of the experimental Parkinson’s disease drugs that is closest to market unclear. Ardsley, NY-based Acorda (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ACOR]]) said Wednesday morning that it has seen troubling safety problems in a Phase 3 trial of its experimental Parkinson’s disease drug tozadenant. Acorda reported cases … Continue reading “Acorda Takes Another Hit, Reports Patient Deaths in Parkinson’s Study”
ClearMotion Buys Bose’s Car Suspension Tech to Deliver Smooth Rides
A Bose side project in the automotive industry will get new life in the hands of a new owner. ClearMotion, a heavily funded MIT spinout working to commercialize technology aimed at making bumpy car rides go more smoothly, announced Wednesday it has acquired related technologies developed by Bose. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. Framingham, MA-based … Continue reading “ClearMotion Buys Bose’s Car Suspension Tech to Deliver Smooth Rides”
Logz.io Collects $23M Round Led by OpenView, Will Double Boston Staff
The flood of data flowing from machines keeps rising, and that means more demand for companies like Logz.io that aim to help IT departments effectively monitor all that information. Now, investors are pouring more money into the software firm to help accelerate its growth. On Wednesday, Logz.io announced it raised $23 million in a Series … Continue reading “Logz.io Collects $23M Round Led by OpenView, Will Double Boston Staff”
Inozyme Gets $49M From Sanofi, Novo to Tackle Rare Infant Disease
Sanofi and Novo Nordisk this morning have put their venture arms to work. The two joined up with two venture firms to back a $49 million round for a fledgling startup, Inozyme Pharmaceuticals. The company aims to develop a therapy for an ultra-rare infant disorder—and possibly some more prevalent diseases too. The startup, based in … Continue reading “Inozyme Gets $49M From Sanofi, Novo to Tackle Rare Infant Disease”
Is Co-Working Played Out? Bamboo Detroit Report Shows Otherwise
Co-working spaces may be old hat in places like San Francisco and Boston, but in Detroit, they can be a vital gateway into the local startup ecosystem—particularly for women and people of color. That’s one of the takeaways from a new report released by Bamboo Detroit, the city’s first co-working space located in the heart … Continue reading “Is Co-Working Played Out? Bamboo Detroit Report Shows Otherwise”
Raken Aims for Growth in Mobile App for Construction Site Reporting
When it comes to disrupting an industry, Raken founder and CEO Kyle Slager says it would be hard to find a sector that is more resistant to spending money on new technologies than the construction business. As Slager puts it, even bankers and insurers spend more on technology as a percentage of revenue than building … Continue reading “Raken Aims for Growth in Mobile App for Construction Site Reporting”
Q&A: EatStreet’s Alex Wyler on 30 Under 30, Facebook, Kanye, & More
Alex Wyler and Matt Howard, two co-founders of the Madison, WI-based food ordering startup EatStreet, were named to Forbes’ annual “30 Under 30” list, in the consumer technology category. Launched in 2010, EatStreet has raised more than $40 million from investors and currently has about 1,000 employees. The software company serves about 1.7 million customers … Continue reading “Q&A: EatStreet’s Alex Wyler on 30 Under 30, Facebook, Kanye, & More”
Autodesk Leads $12M Round for Assemble Systems in Latest Boston Deal
Autodesk, the 3D design and engineering software giant, is continuing its investing spree in Boston-area technology startups. The latest beneficiary is Assemble Systems, which on Tuesday announced it received a $12 million Series A funding round led by Autodesk’s Forge Fund. Earlier backers Satterfield Vintage Investments and Assemble Investments also chipped in, according to a … Continue reading “Autodesk Leads $12M Round for Assemble Systems in Latest Boston Deal”
Locus Bio Raises $19M for CRISPR-Cas3 Antimicrobial “Smart Bombs”
A growing number of companies are using CRISPR technology to try and develop more precise treatments for a wide range of diseases, and Locus Biosciences is joining the mix, embracing the platform to tackle drug-resistant bacteria. Now the startup has $19 million to test its “precision antimicrobial” tech in humans. ARTIS Ventures, a San Francisco-based … Continue reading “Locus Bio Raises $19M for CRISPR-Cas3 Antimicrobial “Smart Bombs””
Poshmark Picks Up $87.5M to Power the Social, Digital Wardrobe
Poshmark, a social media e-retail company, has raised $87.5 million in a Series D investment round led by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek. That brings the total funding raised by the Redwood City, CA-based company to $160 million. Other investors in the firm include Mayfield, Menlo Ventures, GGV Capital, Inventus Capital, SoftTech VC, Union Grove … Continue reading “Poshmark Picks Up $87.5M to Power the Social, Digital Wardrobe”
ImmusanT Gets $40M From Arch, Vatera to Continue Celiac Vaccine Quest
ImmusanT has spent years developing an immunotherapy meant to help people with celiac disease tolerate gluten. Today, on the verge of its most substantial clinical test to date, the company has also come up with its biggest round of funding from some well-known backers. Arch Venture Partners has joined previous ImmusanT backer Vatera Healthcare Partners … Continue reading “ImmusanT Gets $40M From Arch, Vatera to Continue Celiac Vaccine Quest”
In a Precision Step, Bayer Writes Loxo $400M Check for Two Cancer Drugs
The latest evidence of the progress of targeted cancer drugs came this morning in the form of a $400 million check. That’s what Bayer will pay, up front, to Loxo Oncology, a company that has the chance to be the second, following Merck, to win approval of a drug for tumors with a specific genetic … Continue reading “In a Precision Step, Bayer Writes Loxo $400M Check for Two Cancer Drugs”
Register Today & Save on What’s Hot in Cybersecurity on Dec. 5
Winter is coming—and so is our second annual cybersecurity conference based in Boston. On December 5, we’ll be gathering leading security tech experts to discuss “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity” at WGBH’s offices in Brighton. At the event we’ll cover topics such as protecting your business from cyber attacks, national security and policy issues, and the … Continue reading “Register Today & Save on What’s Hot in Cybersecurity on Dec. 5”
With $25M, Torque Aims for a More Targeted Cell Therapy for Cancer
Genetic engineering a patient’s own immune cells to make them better cancer fighters is the latest tool in oncology, following FDA approvals of two such therapies this year. But executives at Torque Therapeutics say cell therapy can be further improved by enlisting T cells to carry a drug payload that prompts a more targeted and … Continue reading “With $25M, Torque Aims for a More Targeted Cell Therapy for Cancer”
At New Penn Foster Gig, Stefanski Tackles the “No Good Jobs” Myth
While it may seem like those without a college degree have few good options in an increasingly tech- and services-oriented economy, a new report finds more than 30 million “good jobs” in the U.S. that pay at least $35,000 per year and can be had without a college diploma—and the right set of skills. But many people … Continue reading “At New Penn Foster Gig, Stefanski Tackles the “No Good Jobs” Myth”
Campaign Against Killer Robots Depicts Bleak Future as Nations Meet
This video is the stuff of nightmares. It depicts A.I.-directed drones loaded with small amounts of explosive, seeking out and killing targets autonomously. A slick tech executive makes his (for now) fictional pitch of this “improvement” on the large, Predator-style military drones that are familiar today. He shows a bomber flying over a city, dropping … Continue reading “Campaign Against Killer Robots Depicts Bleak Future as Nations Meet”
DFJ Co-Founder Jurvetson Exits Firm Amid Harassment Charges
[Updated 11/15/17, 11:10 am. See below.] One of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firm founders has joined the list of VCs who departed from their positions this year in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. Steve Jurvetson, co-founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), confirmed via a Twitter post Monday that he has left the … Continue reading “DFJ Co-Founder Jurvetson Exits Firm Amid Harassment Charges”
IPO to Fuel Denali’s Drugs for Alzheimer’s, Other Brain Diseases
One of biotech’s richest private companies, Denali Therapeutics, has set its sights on an IPO to push ahead with treatments for Alzheimer’s and other confounding brain diseases. The filing marks $100 million as its IPO target, but market conditions often shift a company’s sights in the run-up to a debut. Denali’s disclosure comes on the … Continue reading “IPO to Fuel Denali’s Drugs for Alzheimer’s, Other Brain Diseases”
Foxconn, Exact, Ludois, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
A major deal between Wisconsin legislators and a foreign electronics assembler, a biotech company’s expansion plans, and an award for electric motors research are among these recent headlines from the state’s innovation community: —The state of Wisconsin and Foxconn, an electronics assembler and technology development business based in Taiwan, signed off on a deal that … Continue reading “Foxconn, Exact, Ludois, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
GE Stock Sinks Further After Revealing Job & Dividend Cuts
[Corrected 11/13/17, 5:57 pm. See below.] General Electric is making cuts as its new CEO tries to simplify the industrial behemoth and turn around its languishing stock price. On Monday, CEO John Flannery (pictured right) outlined a plan to focus on its healthcare, aviation, and power businesses, while shedding at least $20 billion worth of assets, … Continue reading “GE Stock Sinks Further After Revealing Job & Dividend Cuts”
Acquia Taps Former Autonomy and HP Exec Sullivan to Be Next CEO
[Updated 11/13/17, 3:37 pm, with comments from executives.] There’s about to be a new leader at Acquia, one of the Boston area’s more closely watched enterprise tech companies. On Monday, the Web content management software company named Michael Sullivan as its CEO, effective next month. The 52-year-old, pictured at right, has spent more than 25 … Continue reading “Acquia Taps Former Autonomy and HP Exec Sullivan to Be Next CEO”
First Star Ventures Pushes Deeper Into Genomic Data & Blockchain
First Star Ventures might be Boston’s most interesting early-stage startup investor you’ve never heard of. The venture firm has flown somewhat under the radar since it launched three years ago as Procyon Ventures. But it’s starting to make more noise. First Star announced its new moniker last month. “We got tired of people mispronouncing Procyon,” … Continue reading “First Star Ventures Pushes Deeper Into Genomic Data & Blockchain”
Milestones of Innovation 14: The Biggest Damn Firecracker I Ever Saw
At exactly 7 a.m. on Nov. 9, 1967, the roof of the press viewing stand at Cape Canaveral began shaking from what was happening more than three miles from us. The sky seemed to be cracking as a gleaming 363-foot tall rocket began pushing up from Launch Pad 39 and eastward over the Atlantic. As … Continue reading “Milestones of Innovation 14: The Biggest Damn Firecracker I Ever Saw”
Experts Examine Blockchain’s Present, Future at Marquette Conference
Many non-techies first heard about the digital currency Bitcoin as something people could use to anonymously buy illicit drugs and weapons, or even to hire an assassin, through websites such as Silk Road. But Bitcoin’s image has improved in recent years as more people hear about and begin using cryptocurrencies for more conventional purchases, said … Continue reading “Experts Examine Blockchain’s Present, Future at Marquette Conference”
Juno Dissects ROCKET Deaths, Will Aim Better CAR-T at Leukemia
When five patients with a difficult type of leukemia died last year in a clinical trial run by Juno Therapeutics, it was a big setback for the Seattle biotech and its plans for cutting-edge CAR-T cancer therapy. A year later, Juno is finally explaining what happened and promising to return with a new product. The … Continue reading “Juno Dissects ROCKET Deaths, Will Aim Better CAR-T at Leukemia”
Bio Roundup: Barron Joins GSK, Sage Bounces Back, Valeant Dumps Addyi
Call it a week of second chances. Multiple biotechs breathed new life into drugs sorely in need of it. Sage Therapeutics proved a drug that had failed a trial a rare form of epilepsy could be the first ever approved therapy for postpartum depression. Otonomy, reviving a hearing loss drug thought to be on the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Barron Joins GSK, Sage Bounces Back, Valeant Dumps Addyi”
What Sean Parker Shares with Einstein and the Labradoodle’s Inventor
Sean Parker, Facebook’s first president, just joined a group that’s a favorite topic of history listicles: He’s an innovator who has become abashed by the breakthrough he helped to create. Parker, in an interview with Axios on Wednesday, said Facebook’s founders consciously exploited “a vulnerability in human psychology,” by luring users into an addictive engagement … Continue reading “What Sean Parker Shares with Einstein and the Labradoodle’s Inventor”
Aquam Raises $26M to Expand Tech, Services for Aging Infrastructure
Aquam, a San Diego company with technology for cleaning out and re-lining aging utility pipelines, has raised $26 million in a growth capital round led by NewWorld Capital Group, a New York private equity firm that makes investments in sustainable energy and natural-resources related deals. As municipalities and utilities confront intractable infrastructure problems that range … Continue reading “Aquam Raises $26M to Expand Tech, Services for Aging Infrastructure”
What’s Hot in Cybersecurity: Here’s the Agenda for Dec. 5 at WGBH
It feels like December already in Boston. So, here’s an update on our annual cybersecurity conference at WGBH, which is happening on December 5. If you want to hear the latest information about threats and defenses for your company, network, or personal information, you won’t want to miss it. We still have a few pieces … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity: Here’s the Agenda for Dec. 5 at WGBH”